Ms Harvey said as a mother she would like to lock up dangerous sex offenders forever, but the government did not necessarily have the luxury of doing that.

Mr Mischin said on Friday that the act was working well and the amendments would only be minor, but the bill would not be passed this year.

It comes as serial rapist Dennis John Lyddieth, who targeted women in their homes at knife point and once referred to himself as a "nice rapist", has been granted freedom on a six-year supervision order.

The 64-year-old will be released from prison on Monday and be subject to strict conditions including electronic monitoring, a ban on drugs and regularly reporting to his supervisors.

Mr Quigley said Lyddieth had been described by a prison psychiatrist as a "sick psycho", while a judge labelled him a serious risk of reoffending, and yet he was still considered suitable for release.

"The community is outraged and it's a serious concern," Mr Quigley said.